Rockland IDA Partners with RCC to Provide Internship Stipends for Local Students

The County of Rockland Industrial Development Agency (Rockland IDA) is proud to announce its commitment to fostering local talent and economic growth through a partnership with Rockland Community College (RCC). Skill Up Rockland, part of RCC’s strategic initiative, ensures its students have the skills employers need. The Rockland IDA will provide internship stipends totaling $7,500 to support three RCC students pursuing internships in fields aligned with industry, economics, and business. The stipends, each valued at $2,500, will be awarded to one student per semester - Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Through this collaboration, Rockland IDA aims to reinforce its dedication to the development of the local workforce, demonstrating the agency's commitment to community prosperity and the preparation of future professionals. These internship stipends will directly benefit RCC students interning at businesses within Rockland County, contributing to both the students' educational experience and the economic growth of the region.

To be selected for the internship stipends, students will undergo an assessment process, which considers factors such as financial need and the submission of an essay outlining how their targeted internship aligns with their career goals. While the selected students will not intern directly for the IDA, they will be interning through RCC Career Services, thereby ensuring a meaningful and enriching experience.

"The collaboration between Rockland IDA and RCC represents a crucial step towards fostering economic development and supporting our local talent," remarked Steven Porath, Executive Director of the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency. "We are excited to partner with the RCC Foundation to invest in the future workforce of Rockland County."

Kevin Stump, VP of Economic Mobility + Workforce Innovation, added, "This partnership exemplifies RCC's commitment to providing students with exceptional opportunities for growth and real-world experience. We are deeply grateful to the Rockland IDA for their generous support in helping our students achieve their academic and professional aspirations."

The Rockland County Industrial Development Agency is dedicated to advancing job opportunities, economic welfare, and the overall prosperity of Rockland County. Through financing assistance and benefits, the IDA actively promotes the development of commerce and industry within the region.

For further information about this partnership and the internship stipends, please contact Joan F.X. Halligan, RCC’s Executive Director of Development, at 845-587-6482 or joan.halliganwang@sunyrockland.edu.

To learn more about the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency, visit rocklandida.com.

About Rockland IDA:

The Rockland County Industrial Development Agency is dedicated to advancing the economic welfare and general prosperity of Rockland County by promoting the development of various facilities, industries, and businesses within the region. By offering financing assistance and benefits, the IDA actively supports the growth of commerce and industry in Rockland County.

About Skill Up Rockland

Skill Up Rockland, is an RCC initiative to close skills gaps, meet employer talent needs, and increase economic mobility. The three primary goals of Skill Up Rockland include: Pathways for People – aimed at increasing economic mobility of Rockland residents by increasing their skills and qualifications; Partnerships for Jobs – to attract more employer partners who are ready, willing, and able to advise on workforce strategy, and co-design pathways and opportunities to meet their needs; and, Investments for Opportunity – designed to provide resource training and work-based learning opportunities for Rockland residents and incentivize employer partnerships to invest in building the talent pipeline. This comprehensive approach will deepen community and employer partnerships to increase career-connected learning and support pathways to economic mobility for Rockland residents.

About Rockland Community College 

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCCs institutional collaborations.

RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and microcredentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.